For Dick Lau, Dealer Principal of Cam Clark Ford Lincoln Ltd., giving to support Special Olympics is a movement led by the New Car Dealers Association of BC and made all the more meaningful by the athletes.

“We believe in the work [Special Olympics] does, and the athletes are the stars, always reminding us why we are doing this,” says Lau, also a Director of the New Car Dealers Association. “You can see how excited they are. It’s very tangible.”

Lau’s relationship with New Car Dealers associations and Special Olympics spans two provinces and many years. Lau has been in the industry for 37 years, getting his start in sales and moving into dealer and partner roles in 1995. He began in Alberta, where his family currently lives, and moved into B.C. almost 13 years ago.

Lau was first introduced to Special Olympics in Alberta, where the provincial industry association is a significant supporter of the Special Olympics movement, as in B.C. Over his years there he met many of the athletes and was “always very inspired by them.”

During his years in B.C., Lau and his dealership have given generously to the annual New Car Dealers Foundation of BC/Special Olympics Auction, the vital fundraiser that supports Special Olympics BC and the work of the foundation. This year, Lau and Cam Clark Ford Lincoln also stepped up to help the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games in Vancouver, donating the use of vehicles at the Games. The support of the New Car Dealers helped make the first National Games to be held in our province since 1990 a great success full of many inspiring and empowering experiences.

Lau said the athletes motivated them to go above and beyond by giving to the Games.

“We really believe in the cause, and we admire the people working hard at it – and we adore the athletes,” he says.

Lau also credits the dedicated coaches and volunteers who give their time to Special Olympics and create such an impactful organization.

Lau believes strongly in giving back, not only to charitable causes but also to the industry that has helped his business. He has been a Director of the New Car Dealers Association of BC for the last five years and was involved with the Alberta association as well. Many Dealers give so generously to Special Olympics and charities in their communities, and Lau says it’s rewarding for them as well as to the charities benefitting from their support.

“We get as much out of it as we put into it,” he says.

Much of Lau’s family is still in Alberta, but here in B.C. his son Jacob is involved in the industry, currently as the Cam Clark Ford Lincoln Sales Manager. Lau is excited and proud that his son is in the business as well.

This article originally appeared in the New Car Dealers Association of B.C. publication Signals. With this series, SOBC is turning the spotlight on individual dealers who so generously support our athletes and our organization.